Parlor kay naam par Fahashi ka Adda

Pakistan, a turbulent country, where Taliban militants have waged guerilla war against the civilian population and government for enforcement of their Sharia, 26-year-old Heena*, clad in full-face veil, reaches in front of Jinnah Garden everyday in the evening.As soon as she arrives, there is a bustle of cars and motorcycles at the entrance of Model Town Park, Lahore. She spends nearly 15-20 minutes in negotiations before embarking in her chosen client’s vehicle. The pick and drop is the responsibility of her client.The first time Heena* had sex, it was a horrifying experience but in these ten years she has finally over come her misgivings. Today. She says that, “What’s a few hours job for a few thousands rupees.”This mother of two says she had no other source of income to feed her kids. She eloped with her boyfriend at the mere age of 15 while studying in school but was tricked by him into being raped and fell pregnant. Her lover boy then left her stranded in an unknown city. “Baji (sister) I left my studies and family for him, but he left me. Afterwards, I returned twice to my parents home. My mother pressed some money in my hand and told me to have an abortion and never ever come back because the men of the family where upset at my running away,” says Heena.